254th Episode
Flashes erupted near Alpha 21.
The royal mobile strike force clashed with the empire’s troops against the fallen ones who had come from all sides.
As the most elite forces present on the battlefield collided, blood began to rain down almost instantly from both sides.
Amidst the increasing number of casualties,
a knight clad in black armor raised a violet sword.
Light radiating from the violet sword poured over the corpses of those who had perished, reanimating their bodies.
Upon recognizing the existence of the Command Blade, a Templar convulsively unleashed holy power and raised his warhammer.
“Such an unholy presence dares…!!”
Upon detecting the manifestation of the Blessing of the Dark God, the imperial army attempted to concentrate their attacks on the knight in black armor.
However, as Preches swept his wings of fire once, freezing flames surged and devoured everything around him.
When one of the knights was engulfed in the flames and froze solid before collapsing, the commander of the mobile strike force shouted at the mage.
“Control of the Golden Tower?!”
It had long been suspected that most of the power behind Preches’ abilities was supplied by the Golden Tower.
If only the empire could regain control of the Golden Tower, they could certainly weaken Preches significantly.
But the mage trying to control the Golden Tower was drenched in cold sweat and shook his head.
“Not possible… It’s impossible to control it right now.”
“Hmm…”
If they couldn’t control the Golden Tower, they would have to continue with a war of attrition.
As reinforcements from both sides continued to join, the reanimated corpses rose again to ravage the battlefield.
Truly, it was a wretched battlefield, but the imperial army did not retreat.
This was the Imperial Capital they had to protect, and also the most advantageous battleground for them.
Proving this belief, a massive beam fired from the Imperial Palace split the sky and collapsed the Warp Gate.
The imperial army let out a suppressed cheer.
At the moment the gate disappeared, the outcome became clear.
All scattered imperial troops within the capital would quickly deal with the invaders and regroup here.
Just as the imperial army, confident of victory, prepared to move forward with hope,
Preches’ eyes turned a dark crimson.
“The power of the dragon mixed with the Blessing of the Dark God.”
This anomaly, amplified by mana drawn from the Dragonheart artifact and the spirit veins beneath the Golden Tower, surged forth.
“Tzzzuzzuz!”
An opaque barrier began to cover the surrounding area.
A barrier splitting dimensions trapped the imperial army without giving them time to react, isolating the internal space from the outside world.
There was no escaping this barrier.
As Preches smiled with certainty, the commander of the mobile strike force gripped his sword again.
“You will die here too.”
Even if all the imperial forces inside the barrier were annihilated, the empire would mobilize all its strength to judge these cursed beings.
With mutual support cut off, the imperial army led by the mobile strike force commander charged ahead.
Preches sneered at the sight.
Having conserved strength while preparing the barrier, Preches was now free.
As Preches moved to the front lines and unleashed firepower, the imperial army began to fall back almost immediately.
Meanwhile,
the Izhise students who had fainted during their midterm exam due to the backlash from the collapsing barrier began to wake up one by one.
When Delun groaned and opened his eyes, the smell of blood, screams, and killing intent assaulted his senses like madness.
In the instant when Delun reflexively tried to draw his sword, Teon pressed down on Delun’s head.
“Idiot, don’t move unless you want to die.”
*
A massive barrier spread centered around Alpha 21.
The imperial army emptied a nearby building close to the barrier and set up a temporary field command post.
Although small-scale battles continued within the capital, the actual main force of the capital defense army gathered at the field command post because entities judged to be the enemy’s main force were inside the barrier.
Ray also arrived near the field command post.
Leading some students, instructors, and part of the imperial army, Ray tried to enter the field command post straight away.
However, when Ray approached in his Izhise student uniform, the knights guarding the field command post blocked him.
“Don’t approach here carelessly…”
“Move.”
Pushing the knights aside, Ray walked through.
The knights were about to yell at him, but upon confirming the identities of Ignis and Nelson accompanying Ray, they stepped aside.
Walking briskly, Ray pushed open the main door of the field command post.
Simultaneously, several knights waiting behind the door pointed their swords at Ray.
One of the commanders conducting a meeting inside barked angrily upon seeing Ray’s appearance.
“What is a mere student doing here…!!”
“Hold it.”
Carmine, the principal of Izhise and a former Royal Guard, stopped the yelling commander and asked Ray.
“Which unit do you belong to?”
“Imperial Special Operations.”
“More specifically.”
While there were people responsible for odd jobs even within the Imperial Special Operations, there were also Royal Guards actively engaged in the field.
However, Ray didn’t answer and coldly stared at Carmine.
Carmine frowned slightly and pointed to a chair.
“You may sit as well.”
Ray sat at the end of the conference table.
For a short while, everyone glanced at Ray and watched Carmine’s reaction.
However, given the urgency of the situation, they soon lost interest in Ray and resumed their noisy discussions.
Seeing this, Ray slammed the table hard.
Bang!
As everyone’s gaze turned towards him, Ray distorted his expression and revealed his irritation.
“Hey, since someone came, stop your private chatter and give me a summary report.”
His extremely arrogant attitude made some commanders ready to explode, but Carmine stopped them and sent a mage to Ray.
The approaching mage shared the currently confirmed information with Ray.
“We are investigating the barrier currently deployed around Alpha 21. The barrier causes a phenomenon similar to spatial separation, completely isolating the inside from the outside. You can think of it as a kind of boundary.”
“Why aren’t you breaking it with magic instead of just standing here talking nonsense?”
“To break such an undefined barrier, we’d need artillery from the Imperial Palace. We’d have to keep firing continuously.”
“And?”
“If we unleash artillery or equivalent firepower from the ground… at least a quarter of the capital will be directly exposed to the aftermath. If a chain explosion occurs, the radius will widen further, and we’re not yet fully prepared for that.”
Firing into the capital requires evacuating citizens and fortifying major facilities against potential damage. Such preparations can’t be completed instantly.
“Lord Duke Prizzran?”
Swordmaster-level mana control abilities might assist in dismantling the barrier.
The mage hesitated before answering Ray’s question.
“The Warp Gate near the capital, which was receiving power from the central system, has halted. Reports indicate he’ll arrive within two hours, though delayed due to this.”
“…”
Ray massaged his brow.
The structure of the barrier centered around Alpha 21 was beyond comprehension even with Ray’s powers.
Given the chaotic mix of dragon authority and the Blessing of the Dark God, it was understandable.
While Ray felt a headache coming on, the commanders discussed various theories about the enemy’s purpose.
“…Perhaps we don’t need to worry too seriously.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Warp Gate is destroyed, and the enemies have lost their escape route. It’s not strange at all that they’ve confined themselves to prolong their meaningless lives even slightly.”
At one commander’s statement, Ray burst out laughing openly.
“What nonsense. Has there ever been a case in the history after the empire’s founding where the capital allowed large-scale invasions? Would those responsible for causing such unprecedented chaos merely prepare for a siege?”
“Some cheeky…!”
Carmine intervened again as a few commanders were about to explode.
“That’s enough! Is this the time for us to quarrel among ourselves?”
“Huh, exactly…”
The commanders wanted to ask why Carmine kept protecting Ray.
However, Carmine ignored their sighs and continued scolding.
“The discussion about that barrier isn’t our responsibility.”
Currently, outstanding mages and scholars are investigating the barrier and transmitting real-time information to the palace.
High-ranking mages gathered at the palace will consolidate the information to find a way to resolve this situation.
Once orders come from the palace, we can move accordingly.
“Until then, our job is to focus on commanding the elimination of remaining enemies scattered throughout the capital.”
Carmine was correct.
The excited commanders groaned and sat back down.
At that moment, a mage responsible for communications shouted loudly.
“Royal Guard Sir Michael is heading this way.”
“…!”
Everyone stood up as if expecting something significant.
Michael participated in many military operations, establishing numerous achievements, and now practically serves as the head of the emperor’s personal guard.
There was no reason for such a person as Michael to come here merely to relay orders.
“They must have found a way to break through the barrier at the palace.”
“Looks like Sir Michael will personally command the scene.”
With similar thoughts, everyone left the field command post.
There was a high possibility that the army would move immediately once Michael arrived.
Only after everyone left did Ray rise with a grim expression.
Soon after, Michael arrived at the field command post accompanied by other Royal Guards and palace-affiliated mages.
Everyone tried to greet the renowned Royal Guard Michael briefly.
However, Michael spoke first.
“It’s an honor to meet…”
Everyone followed Michael’s gaze and turned their heads.
They saw Ray walking out of the command post.
Michael calmly bowed his head to Ray.
“It’s an honor.”
*
The Royal Guard protects the emperor.
They had the responsibility to dress appropriately to match the emperor’s dignity, hence the elaborate decorations crafted by master artisans on their armor.
For the same reason, Royal Guards didn’t bow casually to others.
Thus, people watching Michael bow were visibly perplexed.
However, Ray walked calmly towards Michael and spoke sternly.
“If you have anything to explain about this situation, hurry up.”
“We believe a dragon or an entity closely related to a dragon is involved among the attackers. Otherwise, the situation doesn’t make sense.”
“…What about that barrier?”
“Many methods have been discussed to remove the barrier covering Alpha 21. Focused bombardment using the city defense weapons has been considered, but evacuation will take over two hours.”
“Is there any other way?”
“Mages have begun structural analysis to dismantle the barrier, but it’s expected to take at least five hours. Even with Lord Prizzran’s help, collapsing the barrier instantly will be difficult.”
Whether to accept material damage and bombard the barrier with overwhelming force or to have mages cooperate under Erst’s Absolute Domain to dismantle the barrier—neither option was quick.
Then, Magna, the palace mage accompanying Michael, stepped forward.
“But!”
His face was elated.
“With your power, it’s possible! Your power can do it!”
A powerful resistance to spatial techniques and the ability to distort anomalies.
Magna was saying that Ray’s very power made it possible.
“You’re the key! If you act as the hammer, and we assist, we can either destroy the barrier or, failing that, enable a small team including you to infiltrate!”
Magna continued enthusiastically.
“If destroying the barrier fails, infiltrate and attack the enemy! Disrupt their stable maintenance of the barrier so we can tear it apart!”
Others couldn’t follow the conversation between Ray, Michael, and Magna.
Ignoring others’ gazes, Magna urged Ray repeatedly, but Michael stepped forward again.
“There’s no need for you to get involved.”
Gripping his fists, Michael declared boldly.
“This is Dranopolis, the heart of the empire. Whatever the fallen ones plot inside the barrier, we can counter it. With our overwhelming technology, power, and strategy, we will punish those who dare to intrude here.”
Emphasizing that there was nothing to worry about, Michael looked at the barrier.
There were still many imperial citizens trapped inside.
“Though sacrifices have occurred… this matter is trivial for you to involve yourself in. We can handle it sufficiently without your assistance.”
“Sir Michael, what do you mean?”
Magna immediately expressed confusion.
Who could confidently predict what devil worshippers might be scheming inside?
Who could guarantee complete readiness against their schemes?
The enemies disrupted and even exploited the capital’s defense system to successfully raid it—a humiliation unprecedented in imperial history.
Therefore, no one could assure that even with the empire’s utmost preparation, they could perfectly counter the enemy’s schemes.
If they fail to stop it now, they might have to rebuild the capital from scratch.
Whatever the enemy is plotting inside the barrier,
it needs to be stopped as soon as possible.
“Now isn’t the time to pick methods!”
“No.”
Resolutely shaking his head, Michael changed his tone to emphasize as he faced Ray again.
“There’s no need for you to get involved.”
Magna immediately interjected, shouting at Ray.
“We need your decision!”
The difference in opinions between Michael and Magna stemmed from an information gap.
Michael knew about Ray’s lifespan issue, while Magna did not.
“…”
Ray exhaled with a cold, stiff expression.
There were many imperial citizens inside. Delun was there too.
If they couldn’t immediately dispel the barrier, everyone inside might perish, or worse, the capital might lose all functionality.
However… well, maybe there wasn’t necessarily a need for Ray to risk his life to crawl inside the barrier.
But Ray needed merit.
Merit sufficient to prevent the emperor from testing him further, merit substantial enough to secure the Dragonheart artifact from the royal family definitively.
After deeply contemplating whether allocating his remaining lifespan to this operation was worthwhile, Ray reached a conclusion.
“The barrier…”
“…”
“I will attempt to destroy it. If it fails, I will enter personally to collapse it.”
“Indeed!! A decision befitting an imperial hero!!”
Magna laughed.
Magna rejoiced that the plan he had devised would be executed.
On the contrary, Michael silently observed Ray from his spot and asked in a low voice.
“There’s an entity inside using dragon power.”
“I know.”
“The existence of the Command Blade has been confirmed, and according to the latest report, multiple demons are likely inside.”
“…”
“If the destruction attempt fails, you will enter the barrier with just two or three personnel, with no external support possible.”
“…”
“It’s an isolated battlefield where survival is unlikely. Are you still willing to proceed?”
“…If no one else can do it.”
Ray responded calmly.
“I must.”
“…”
Michael took a step back.
And knelt on one knee toward Ray.
“If you accept this mission, His Majesty the Emperor requests…”
Everyone observing the situation gasped.
Michael grasped the air.
“Protector of the Empire, inheritor of the myth.”
A rift tore open, revealing the silvery-white blade from the A-Space.
“Please.”
Michael held the legendary sword of the empire high toward Ray.
“Bring glory to the empire.”
Guardian (6)
